Scatman 2011: I can tell you a little about this day. The hiking itself is lost in the depths of my brian but I do recall getting to a shelter and finding a flyer for a hostel not too far away. Shamus, Mr. Pat and I all agreed we couldn’t pass up not cooking, a warm nights sleep, showers and the promise of a waffle breakfast.

It turns out the hostel is run by a thru-hiker himself. He wowed us of his stories and amazed us by telling us he was a Triple Crowner (the Triple Crown is the Appalachain, Pacific Crest and Continental Divide Trails). He had hiked all three and some more than once.

I recall the waffles were delicious and I ate way too much. I would meet Ron, the owner of the hostel on the PCT as he bedded down one night. Small world. Ron’s trail name was “The Waffle King”.